Syringe cartridge and assembly



March 12, 1968 KELLER 3,372,697

SYRINGE CARTRIDGE AND ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 31, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet l m lxasvn llllll IN VEN TOR. 6256366" 1% $6245? 4 FIG. 4 BY JW 4M0? March12, 1968 KELLER 3,372,697

SYRINGE CARTRIDGE AND ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 31, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1QMarch 12, 1968 KELLER 3,372,697

SYRINGE CARTRIDGE AND ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 31, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 5March 12, 1968 G. H. KELLER SYRINGE CARTRIDGE AND ASSEMBLY Filed Dec.31, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ig /2 9/ INVENTOR. aid/P65 64 1? 4 (3? Z24; MmM United States Patent 3,372,697 SGE CARTRIDGE AND ASSEMBLY George H.Keller, Ridgewood, NJ., assignor to Becton,

Dickinson and Company, East Rutherford, N..I., a corporation of NewJersey Filed Dec. 31, 1962, Ser. No. 248,370 1 Claim. (Cl. 128-221) Thisinvention relates to a structurally and functionally improved medicamentcontaining cartridge with which a cannula is associated to form a partof a hypodermic syringe assembly.

It is a primary object of the invention to furnish a cartridge of thistype involving an improved and economical design such that after asingle use it may be discarded.

With these and other objects in mind, reference is had to the attachedsheets of drawings illustrating practical embodiments of the inventionand in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the syringe assembly;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional side view of the forwardportion of the assembly taken along the line 22 in the direction of thearrows as indicated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view of the syringe cartridge tip assembly taken from thefront end;

FIG. 4 is a sectional side view taken along the line 44 in the directionof the arrows as indicated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing an alternative form ofstructure;

FIG. 6 shows the major parts present in FIG. 5 in separated condition;

FIG. 6a is a section taken along the line 6a6a and in the direction ofthe arrows as indicated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 7-7 in thedirection of the arrows as indicated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is again a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 5 showing a furtherstructure provided in accordance with the present teachings;

FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in thedirection of the arrows as indicated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional side view showing another arrangementof the parts;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the parts as illustrated in FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 12-12 in thedirection of the arrows as indicated in FIG. 10.

While the present syringe assembly may include a cartridge holder andactuator of various types it is preferred that this unit embody astructure as shown in FIG. 1. In that view the numeral indicates acylindrical casing conveniently of metal and interrupted through certainzones to provide sight openings 21. Pivotally secured as at 22 adjacentthe rear end of this casing is a yoke 23 having outstanding flanges 24for finger engagement. A head portion 25 also forms a part of this yokeand extends rearwardly of the same. It serves to slidably support aplunger 26 the forward end of which (not shown) may carry a fittingpresenting a threaded bore for coupling with a correspondingly threadedstem extending rearwardly from a piston carried in the bore of acartridge. A locking slide 27 is also conveniently carried by head 25and shiftable to different positions. In one of these it will notinterfere with axial movement of plunger 26. In another position it willlimit retraction of the plunger by engaging with .a shoulder portionforming a part of the same. The outer end of the plunger carries asuitable actuating head 28 which by thumb pressure against its surfacewill cause plunger projection.

The forward end of casing 20 has an inturned flange portion 29 (see FIG.2) which defines an opening. In engagement with the inner face of thisflange is an outwardly extending lip 30 forming a part of a collar 31.That member projects through the opening at the forward end of casing 20and which opening is preferably defined by an outwardly extending hood32. The bore of the collar is internally threaded from a zone short ofits outer end through to its inner edge.

One form of cartridge constructed in accordance with the presentteachings has been partially shown in FIG. 2. It will include acylindrical body 33 to contain medicament; the rear of the body borebeing sealed by a piston (not shown) which is connectible with plunger26 as aforedescribed. It forward end will be reduced to furnish a tipzone embracing .a base portion 34 of relatively large diameter and anextension 35 of smaller diameter. The tip is formed with a passage orbore 35' communicating with the interior of body 33. This bore isconveniently enlarged adjacent its outer end to thus define a shoulderor abutment 36. Bearing against the surface of the latter is the base ofa cannula 37 furnishing the hypodermic needle of the assembly.

To secure that needle in position the enlarged portion of the bore 35'will embrace a diameter such that adequate clearance exists between thebore surface and the outer cannula face. Within the space thus provideda layer 38 of bonding material is disposed. It is preferred to use amaterial such as an epoxy resin which will have good bonding affinityboth with the metal of the cannula and the glass of the tip portion. Thediameter of the tip portion is such that it may be freely passed throughthe bore of collar 31. The outer area of the tip zone is ensleeved by asheath 39 of rubber or similar material. This encloses the needle andthus serves to maintain the sterility of the assembly.

Forming a part of the cartridge tip assembly is an annular hub body 40as especially shown in FIG. 3 and 4. This embraces a suitable plastic.It is preferred to employ polypropylene as a material best suited forthis purpose. Body 40 will include a central bore zone 41 having adiameter substantially equal to the reduced outer portion 35. The rearend of this bore is enlarged as at 42 and has a diameter less than thediameter of the base portion 34. An inwardly extending lip 43 intervenesbore areas 41 and 42 and bears against extension 35. Adjacent theforward or outer end of body 40 its bore is enlarged as at 44 andconveniently continued in an outwardly flared surface as at 45. In theface defining enlarged portion 44 grooves 46 are formed. These areconveniently two in number and disposed at diametrically oppositepoints. The rear zone of this member has a diameter greater than thebore of collar 31. From approximately its central portion to its outeredge it presents a diameter slightly less than the bore diameter of thecollar. This surface is formed with threads 47 cooperative with thethreads in the collar bore but preferably having a slight clearance suchthat a somewhat loose fit results.

By this expedient no stretching eifects or thread distortions will occuras these parts are coupled. It will be noted that threads 47 areinterrupted at a point short of the outer zone of body 40 as indicatedat 48; a body diameter existing within this zone equal to the bore ofcollar 31 beyond its threaded zone. A stop will be furnished between themain portion of body 40 and the collar, limiting the introduction ofbody 40 into the collar 31 as shown in FIG. 2. As also shown in thatfigure a bonding agent 49 is disposed to fill the spaces intervening theouter bore zones of body 40 and the adjacent tip portion. This bondingagent will additionally fill the grooves or recesses 46. Again it ispreferred to employ an epoxy resin. This will have good bonding afiinitywith the glass of the cartridge tip as afore brought out. It will have alesser bonding afiinity with the plastic material providing body 4-0.However, by keying into recesses 46 former parts of that body it willprovide abutments preventing rotation of the latter with respect to thetip.

In the second form of assembly as illustrated in FIGS. to 7, inclusive,the body of the glass cartridge has been indicated at 5th and terminatesin a bored tip 51 presenting at its outer end a head portion 52, therear edge of which terminate in an inclined surface 53. In common withthe structure shown in FIG. 2 the tip bore is enlarged towards its outerend to thus define a shoulder 54. This provides an abutment againstwhich the inner end of a cannula 55 seats. The diameter of the latter isless than that of the enlarged bore section. Accordingly, a layer 56 ofbonding material (such as epoxy resin) provides a sleeve intervening thebore and cannula surfaces and serves to prevent detachment of thehypodermic needle from the cartridge.

The holder or encasing portion 57 at its forward end differs slightlyfrom the part as indicated by the reference numeral 29 in FIG. 2. Moreparticularly, its side walls (FIG. 5) taper in the direction of theouter end of the assembly to define a collar 53 the bore surface ofwhich is threaded as indicated at 59. As in the earlier form a plastichub member embracing a body 6% is carried by the tip portion of thecartridge. Again this member is preferably formed of polypropylene. Theforward edge zone of its main portion is threaded to interengage withthe threads 59 of the collar. To the rear of this portion it isfurnished with an outwardly extending flange 61 the forward face ofwhich may be tapered. The diameter of this flange is such that it willengage the inner face of the tapered portion of easing or holder 57 whenthe parts are in the position shown in FIG. 5 and thus function as astop to prevent too great a movement of the cartridge towards theforward end of the holder. The rear portion of body 60 defines a cavityhaving an area and configuration substantially identical with the head52 of the cartridge tip. The rear of this cavity is open and terminatesin a relatively flexible flange portion 62 the edges of which involve adiameter substantially equal to the external diameter of tip 51. Body 60at its outer end terminates in a neck 63 and is provided throughout itslength with a bore 64. The forward Zone of this bore in advance ofshoulder 54 has a diameter greater than that of the cannula 55. Thisbore at its inner end communicates with the cavity embracing flange 62and at its outer end is conventionally flared.

As will be understood with such a structure and with cannula 55preferably mounted on the cartridge that cannula may have its outer endintroduced into bore 64 and with body 60 moved rearwardly towards thecartridge 50, head 52 will come to occupy a position within the cavityand withthe flange 62 overlying the rear face of head 52. Accordingly, asnap-on structure is furnished which permits a ready coupling of body 60with the cartridge. The surface of bore 64 serves to center cannula 55so that the axis of the needle will not extend angularly beyondpermissible limits. Due to the angularly extending surface 53, theflange will readily assume a properly overlapped position with referenceto the rear surface of head 52. A sheath 65 corresponding to sheath 39may have its base end telescoped over neck 63 to enclose the exposedportion of cannula 55 and thus maintain sterility. As indicated at 66,lip or flange portion 62 of FIG. 5 might be modified to present inclinedsurfaces cooperating in camming contact with the angular surface 53 ofhead portion 52 to furnish a functionally corresponding detentstructure.

In many instances it may be desired to directly bond body 60 to the headportion 52. If so, and as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 6a, the inner face ofthe recess 67 formed in body 60 is provided with a number of grooves 68which may be arranged in the form of arms extending radially from therear end of bore 64. Accordingly, when the bonding material 56 isintroduced to extend between the bores and the cannula 55 it Will notalone flow into the recesses 69 but will also distribute throughchannels or grooves 63 as shown in FIG. 5. Incident to keying intorecesses 69 axial shifting of the needle will be prevented. By being indirect contact with the base portion of recess 7 the outer face of thetip head 52 will be directly secured to cartridge 60.

Next referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 it will be understood that the cartridgetherein illustrated is to be used with a holder or actuator involvinggenerally structures of the type shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 10. In thesefigures the numeral 76 indicates the body of the glass cartridge whichhas its forward end zone in the form of a neck 71 continued in anenlarged head portion 72 providing a tip. This tip is formed with a bore'73. A cap or stopper preferably of rubber includes a head portion 74and a stem 75. The latter is introduced into bore 73 at any proper stageduring the assembly of the parts; its head limiting such introduction.

A hub, together with the stopper or cap, serves to support the cannula.The latter is preferably associated with the hub prior to mounting thelatter on the tip. The hub includes a body 75 formed of plastic asheretofore described and provided with a rearwardly extending skirt 76terminating in an edge zone extending beyond the flange portion defininghead 72.

Body 75' is conveniently formed with screw threads 77 for cooperationwith the parts of the holder or actuator and also has adjacent its rearend an enlarged cavity 78. its forward end is continued as a tip 7?having a bore the diameter of which accommodates the cannula 88. Thisbore is provided with preferably more than one recess. The recess orrecesses receive a bonding material which will preferably be epoxy resinand Which Will fill these spaces as indicated at 81.

It will be apparent by this form of structure that again the medicamentwill not come into direct contact with the plastic material of the hub.This will be prevented by the stem and head portion of the stopper orcap. When the hub has been disposed in the position shown in FIG. 8 thenthe rear zone of its shirt 76 is deformed as indicated at 82; tounderlie the flange defining the rear portion of head 72. Suchdeformation is conveniently achieved by a spinning operation. It isapparent that tip portion 79 may serve as a mounting for a sheath suchas 39 or 65'.

Referring to FIGS. 10 to 12., inclusive, the numeral 81 indicates thecartridge holder formed with a reduced forward bore portion defining aninternally threaded collar 82. The glass cartridge 83 in this instanceterminates in an outer edge having a diameter equal to that of the mainbody of the cartridge. The tip assembly is in this structure formed by aplastic body 3d which may involve a material such as polycarbonate. Thatbody adjacent its forward end is provided with threads 85' cooperatingwith the threads of the collar 82. Beyond this point it terminates in aneck or tip 36. The latter provides a mounting for a sheath 87telescopically disposed thereover. Also it provides a bore receiving thebutt end of a cannula 88. This bore presents a suitable number ofannular recesses 89. These recesses together with the space interveningthe cannula and the bore surface receive a bonding agent such as epoxyresin.

Polycarbor te well as the metal of the cannula present good Wettingcharacteristics. Therefore, a proper anchoring of the cannula againstdisplacement with respect to body 84 is assured. Likewise a properanchoring is assured between that body and the glass cartridge 83 inthat in is peripheral surface and adjacent its rear zone body 84*} isformed with, for example, three recesses 90, each of which receivebonding material for this purpose. A flange extends outwardly from body8 adjacent this rear Zone as indicated at 91. it overlaps the outer edgeof the glass cartridge to produce a completely unitary article. RecessesMt are conveniently connected by a channcl 923. This Will assure a flowof the bonding material into all of the recesses. It will also beapparent that throughout the area of the channel the bonding materialwill adhere to the inner face as defined by the bore of cartridge 82.

It will be seen as a consequence of the foregoing that cartridge unitsare provided which require no metal fitting at the forward end of theirglass body. Rather a suitable plastic member is furnished at this pointand provides, as part of the tip assembly, a member enclosing and/ormounting the cannula. This member may be turned out in a variety ofcolors for coding purposes or otherwise. Also the member convenientlyserves as a mounting for the sheath which encloses the needle.

In all of the foregoing embodiments it is apparent that the cannula willform a unitary part of the cartridge and will not have undesiredmovements with respect to the same. Also, it will be guided andsupported so that it extends substantially in line with a prolongationof the cartridge axis. As that cartridge is disposed within a holder oractuator its outer end will be cushioned to prevent any breakage. In theseveral forms shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, inclusive, the medicament will notcome in contact with the material of the plastic hub. If desired asuitable structure for achieving this end result could be included inthe assembly of FIGS. to 12, inclusive. Otherwise and as shown suchassembly would be used with medicaments not reacting in an unfavorablemanner to direct contact with plastics of the types specified.

Thus, among others, the several objects of the invention as specificallyaforenoted are achieved. Obviously numerous changes in construction andrearrangement of the parts might be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

I claim:

1. A medicament cartridge assembly including in combination an elongatedhollow cylindrical barrel formed of glass, a hub of plastic materialmounted upon an end of the barrel and having a part thereof extendinginto the barrel at said end, said hub having a bored tip extendingoutwardly of said barrel and having a substantially coaxially disposedbore, a cannula extending into said bore, a layer of bonding materialinterposed between the bore surface and the cannula with the boresurface of the tip defining a recess such that said bonding materialkeys into said recess, the part of said hub extending into the barrelbeing formed with a number of recesses in its surface with an encirclingchannel communicating with said number of recesses, and a bonding agentkeying into said number of recesses and said channel and engaging withthe barrel to prevent movement of the hub relative to the barrel, saidhub presenting upon its face a retaining surface to be engaged by acorresponding surface of a cartridge holder for securing the latteragainst movement with respect to the hub and said barrel, said retainingsurface embracing screw threads encircling said hub.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,247,850 4/1966 Gettig et al128-221 2,842,125 7/1958 Stephany 128-218 3,096,763 7/1963 McConnaugheyet a1. 128-221 2,671,450 3/1954 Dann 128-218.1 2,711,171 6/1955 Dunnican128-218 1,737,857 12/1929 MacGregor 128218.1 1,683,349 9/1928 Hein128-221 FOREIGN PATENTS 870,835 7/1961 Great Britain.

DALTON L. TRULUCK, Primary Examiner.

1. A MEDICAMENT CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING IN COMBINATION AN ELONGATEDHOLLOW CYLINDRICAL BARREL FORMED OF GLASS, A HUB OF PLASTIC MATERIALMOUNTED UPON AN END OF THE BARREL AND HAVING A PART THEREOF EXTENDINGINTO THE BARREL AT SAID END, SAID HUB HAVING A BORED TIP EXTENDINGOUTWARDLY OF SAID BARREL AND HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY COAXIALLY DISPOSEDBORE, A CANNULA EXTENDING INTO SAID BORE, A LAYER OF BONDING MATERIALINTERPOSED BETWEEN THE BORE SURFACE AND THE CANNULA WITH THE BORESURFACE OF THE TIP DEFINING A RECESS SUCH THAT SAID BONDING MATERIALKEYS INTO SAID RECESS, THE PART OF SAID HUB EXTENDING INTO THE BARRELBEING FORMED WITH A NUMBER OF RECESSES IN ITS SURFACE WITH AN ENCIRCLINGCHANNEL COMMUNICATING WITH SAID NUMBER OF RECESSES, AND A BONDING AGENTKEYING INTO SAID NUMBER OF RECESSES AND SAID CHANNEL AND ENGAGING WITHTHE BARREL TO PREVENT MOVEMENT OF THE HUB RELATIVE TO THE